A SHOP assistant yesterday told how an armed raider pointed a gun at his head.

He demanded money while a second raider brandished a hammer.

Fearing for his life, cashier Dale Gartland opened his till, filled a bag with notes and the robbers fled.

Last night Dale, 18, said: “I thought I was going to die.”

His fiancée Caren Hughes, 24, said: “He’s my hero.”

North Wales Police later arrested a 22-year-old man and a youth aged 15.

They were being questioned last night.

The raid happened at the Costcutter store in Bontnewydd on Thursday shortly after 9pm.

Dale, who was the only member of staff present, said: “I was eating a pot noodle at the counter during a break. There were no customers.

“Two people ran in. They were wearing black Balaclavas and standing opposite me across the counter.

“One held a gun and pointed it at my face. I moved the gun aside and said ‘Don’t be stupid.’

“Then the other one drew back a hammer as if to hit me.

“The one with the gun said ‘Give me the money’. He gave me a black plastic bag with handles and said ‘F****** fill it now’.

“I opened the till. I didn’t get all the money out. I took £325 and filled the bag.”

The robbers grabbed the bag and ran outside. Dale called 999 to raise the alarm.

The day after his ordeal, Dale said yesterday: “I was scared and shocked at the time. My hands were shaking. I thought I was going to die. It didn’t seem right. It felt like a dream.

“It could have been a lot worse. But at the end of the day, it’s only money.”

The shop assistant, originally from Cumbria, has been working at the store for five months.

He met his fiancée Caren in the Lake District and moved to Bontnewydd.

Caren, who hopes to marry her sweetheart this year or next, said: “He’s really brave. He’s my hero.”

North Wales Police said two people are currently in police custody.

A spokesman said: “Shortly after 9pm police received a report that a robbery had occurred at the Costcutter store whereby two individuals entered brandishing weapons, believed to be a firearm and a hammer, and demanded cash.

“They left the store with a large amount of cash.

“Officers were called to the scene, including a police dog handler and armed response officers.

“Following enquiries a 22-year-old man and a 15-year-old youth were arrested nearby on suspicion of robbery. Both remain in police custody.”

The Costcutter convenience store was formerly run by the Nisi shop chain.

Barman Paul Trew, 23, at the nearby Newborough Arms in Bontnewydd, said: “One of our customers said the robbers went to the back of our pub to change their clothes.

“You might expect a robbery like this in Caernarfon or one of the cities but not Bontnewydd. It’s surprised me.”

Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the robbery, or anybody who may have seen suspicious behaviour near to the store prior to the incident to contact officers at Caernarfon CID on 101, or 0845 607 1001 (Welsh line), 0845 607 1002 (English line) or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.